Step 7 Eco-Code

• Your school has an Eco-Code, created by pupils, which reflects your current Eco-Schools Action Plan (including the three topics you have been working on).
• Your whole school has an awareness of your Eco-Code and your Eco-Code is displayed on your Eco-Board (physical or digital).

• Your Eco-Code can take any format you like: statement, rules, poem, song, poster, artwork etc.
• Your Eco-Code should be updated annually to reflect new topic actions included in your current Action Plan, this doesn’t necessarily mean creating a new Eco-Code every year, it can mean treating your Eco-Code as a working document, which evolves as the Eco-Schools programme embeds and expands in your school.
• The Eco-Schools Team recommends creating an Eco-Code and completing this section of your Eco-Schools Green Flag application during May.

Eco-Schools Team Tip

A great way to get your whole school involved in Step 7: Eco-Code is by hosting a whole school competition to design and create an Eco-Code that is judged by your Eco-Committee.

• Secondary Eco-Code Optional Template An optional template which can be printed and used to display your Eco-Code.

What is an Eco-Code?

The Eco-Code is the Eco-Committee’s mission statement. It should demonstrate – in a positive, clear and imaginative way – the school’s commitment to improving its environmental performance. The Eco-Code can be anything you want a song, statement, poem, rap, acronym or something even more creative. Why not combine it with your Global Citizenship topic and think of an Eco-Code in another language?

How often do we need to change the Eco-Code?

We recommend you update your Eco-Code annually. This is because the Eco-Code should reflect the topics your school is working on and there should be slight changes to these topics every year.

How do we inform the school about the Eco-Code?

Your Eco-Code should be displayed on the Eco-Board, to inform the whole school about it we recommend having it in different classrooms, halls and maybe even in bathrooms!

Who needs to know the Eco-Code?

The majority of the students in your school should know, or have an awareness of your Eco-Code – after all it is a celebration of your hard work! It is also recommended that you share your school’s Eco-Code with the wider community.

Where should we display our Eco-Code?

Your Eco-Code should be displayed on your Eco-Board as well as being displayed in various places around the school such as classrooms, hallways and even toilets – be creative.

Why is Eco-Code the last step?

The Eco-Code is the final step, as it should reflect the work your Eco-Committee has carried out to achieve Eco-Schools Green Flag status – it is your celebration statement!